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B
Bob
Need More Info.
First of all, welcome. We purchased a new 320 last year and absolutely love it!!!!! Are you on a dock with elec. hookups or a mooring? Does your boat have a refrigeration unit currently or just the icebox? How often will you be using your boat during the season (weekly).
First of all, welcome. We purchased a new 320 last year and absolutely love it!!!!! Are you on a dock with elec. hookups or a mooring? Does your boat have a refrigeration unit currently or just the icebox? How often will you be using your boat during the season (weekly).
Depends on what is best for you.
Calvin: Depends on what you are really looking for. Price and performance sort of go together. The more money you spend the better unit you are going to get. Look at the marine catalogs and request the specs from the mfg. The most popular units are Norcold and A/B. Regardless of the unit that you get you are going to need the battery power to keep it running. If you are a day sailor this is not a big deal. You will be back at the dock at the end of the day so a large battery bank is not required. If you are spending 2-3 days or more away from the shore you will need to determine how much you want to run your engine to keep the batteries topped off. The better units have a holding plate. These plates freeze and act like an large ice cube. When you look at the units check out the mfg specs on power consumption. We purchased a Technautics Marine unit and it has worked great. They now have a 'cool blue' unit that is 'suppose' to consume about half the power as the one we have. All of this does not come cheap. You will NEVER pay for unit in exchange for buy ice. It is just one of those nice things so your beer is cold when you get to the boat. PS: I seen NO reason to get a unit that runs on AC and DC. Your boat has a battery charger so a DC unit is all you need.
Calvin: Depends on what you are really looking for. Price and performance sort of go together. The more money you spend the better unit you are going to get. Look at the marine catalogs and request the specs from the mfg. The most popular units are Norcold and A/B. Regardless of the unit that you get you are going to need the battery power to keep it running. If you are a day sailor this is not a big deal. You will be back at the dock at the end of the day so a large battery bank is not required. If you are spending 2-3 days or more away from the shore you will need to determine how much you want to run your engine to keep the batteries topped off. The better units have a holding plate. These plates freeze and act like an large ice cube. When you look at the units check out the mfg specs on power consumption. We purchased a Technautics Marine unit and it has worked great. They now have a 'cool blue' unit that is 'suppose' to consume about half the power as the one we have. All of this does not come cheap. You will NEVER pay for unit in exchange for buy ice. It is just one of those nice things so your beer is cold when you get to the boat. PS: I seen NO reason to get a unit that runs on AC and DC. Your boat has a battery charger so a DC unit is all you need.
D
Don
A/B Frostmate
I added refer on my 31 and went with the AB Frostmate (790, I think.) It was a great unit (I have since sold the boat) but I would use it again. The only real difference is it does not have a "freezer" like the larger models do. Unless you plan to make ice and have ice cream, that should not matter. Installation was a snap (except for a fatory wiring problem which should not reoccur) and the price is $200 or so less than the other model. That's my 2 cents...
I added refer on my 31 and went with the AB Frostmate (790, I think.) It was a great unit (I have since sold the boat) but I would use it again. The only real difference is it does not have a "freezer" like the larger models do. Unless you plan to make ice and have ice cream, that should not matter. Installation was a snap (except for a fatory wiring problem which should not reoccur) and the price is $200 or so less than the other model. That's my 2 cents...
W
Wally Boggus
Refer
We got one of the Alder Barbor jobs as a Hunter option and it is a great unit. Stand up ice trays that make nice fat ice cubes. I keep it on about 6 of 10 otherwise everthing freezes. Consider calling Hunter for the option unit - don't think you can do much better. w
We got one of the Alder Barbor jobs as a Hunter option and it is a great unit. Stand up ice trays that make nice fat ice cubes. I keep it on about 6 of 10 otherwise everthing freezes. Consider calling Hunter for the option unit - don't think you can do much better. w
C
Calvin
Thanks guys
Thanks for the advice, I may entertain a Dufour holding plate system that seems good upfront but I do not know a lot about. It may be less cost than other brands. I like the Alder Barbor as well. I am concerned down the road if I take my boat somewhere else where parts and service may not be readily available. I will use it at mostly at dockside and on maybe 4 overnight passages this summer. Any one know how long it takes to install? Thanks again from a first time boat owner who has a lot to learn and liking every minute of it.
Thanks for the advice, I may entertain a Dufour holding plate system that seems good upfront but I do not know a lot about. It may be less cost than other brands. I like the Alder Barbor as well. I am concerned down the road if I take my boat somewhere else where parts and service may not be readily available. I will use it at mostly at dockside and on maybe 4 overnight passages this summer. Any one know how long it takes to install? Thanks again from a first time boat owner who has a lot to learn and liking every minute of it.
S
Steve
Install Time
I am currently in the middle of an install of an Adler/Barber ColdMachine. I think this is the type that Hunter puts on if you want to pay for it. I made a small stand out of plywood for the compressor, and will glass it in this weekend. I have the evaporator and lines in already. That took about 2-3 hours. I suspect that the entire intall could be done in one day, minus the glassing of the stand. I have the powered vent on order, and will put that in when it arrives. I order the optional oven, so pulling it out made getting to the ice box somewhat easy. It might be harder if you just have the stove. Good luck! Steve
I am currently in the middle of an install of an Adler/Barber ColdMachine. I think this is the type that Hunter puts on if you want to pay for it. I made a small stand out of plywood for the compressor, and will glass it in this weekend. I have the evaporator and lines in already. That took about 2-3 hours. I suspect that the entire intall could be done in one day, minus the glassing of the stand. I have the powered vent on order, and will put that in when it arrives. I order the optional oven, so pulling it out made getting to the ice box somewhat easy. It might be harder if you just have the stove. Good luck! Steve
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